-LRB- Matador Network -RRB- -- From choosing the right festival to tips on camping and pacing yourself through the shows , here 's -LRB- almost -RRB- everything you 'll need to know about preparing for your next music festival .

When I went to my first summer musical festival a few years back , I was unprepared and could 've used a little guidance . Since then , I 've covered Lollapalooza , Pitchfork Music Festival , moe.down and other summer festivals , acquiring along the way a checklist of sorts that I wish I 'd had before embarking on that first one .

Seasoned veteran or festival novice , I hope these tips will make your experience more rocking , relaxing and fun .

Find the right festival for you

One of the best places to start is Jambase.com , an aggregator of all things related to music festivals and concerts . Check out the history of each particular festival via its website or third-party music blogs/sites .

Each festival tries to set itself apart , creating a specific slant through lineup , location and overall vibe . Generally , festivals will be teaming up with local and regional media and artists to offer unique side shows ranging from improv theater to art exhibits to on-site record stores and activist booths promoting voter registration and green initiatives .

Matador Network : 10 wildest electronic music festivals worldwide

As you do your research , ask yourself the following four questions :

1 . How much can you spend ?

Festival passes range from $ 50 to $ 250 or higher , depending on venue , location and who 's headlining and promoting the festival .

2 . What type of music do you want to hear ?

Musical tastes are pretty diverse these days , as most people enjoy several genres , and festival lineups reflect this . Though some are genre-exclusive , most showcase acts playing everything from bluegrass to hip hop .

3 . Are you prepared to camp ?

For festivals like Bonnaroo and Coachella , much of the experience is about pitching your tent and camping out for the weekend . Some camping events do offer luxury cabins or tents in return for higher ticket prices .

Cover story : What is Bonnaroo ?

Most festivals provide maps pre-arrival , so you 'll want to know where the camping areas are in relation to the parking and stages . If the distance is far , try to keep your gear light or invest in a small pull wagon or cart .

Depending on how much sleep you want to get or how close you want to be to the action -LRB- many festivals run 24 hours -RRB- , you 'll want to know if the camping sites are near the stages , scattered across the grounds , or both .

Bring the usual camping gear -- tent , sleeping bag , etc. -- and do n't forget a car charger for your phone , laptop and other gadgets .

The world 's best music festivals

4 . Are hotels an option ?

If you 're attending a festival located in a city or metropolitan area , such as Pitchfork in Chicago , getting a hotel room for the weekend on your own is an option , or you can take advantage of the festival 's package lodging deals .

Learn the local history before you go

As with all travel , having a cultural awareness of where you 're going can enrich your festival experience and take you beyond simple enjoyment of the music . The uniqueness of many of the best festivals is rooted in their locality . For example , Glastonbury in the UK is held on festival grounds that have been used as such for centuries .

Being clued in on local culture and history will also help if you plan on venturing away during the show to give your ears a rest or want to take a pre - or post-festival excursion to visit nearby attractions .

Stretch your comfort zone

One of the best parts about the summer music festival experience is observing the meshing of different cultures and being around new groups of people . As more and more festivals incorporate different genres , I 've seen an increasingly diverse cross-section of fans at festivals .

Take the opportunity to interact with other festival-goers , and do n't be afraid to ask for that camping tool you forgot . Chat about last night 's set or join in a game of Frisbee .

Matador Network : 10 bluegrass festivals for summer 2011

Be smart about drugs and alcohol

I do n't include this tip to be a killjoy , but only as a word of caution . I 've seen festival experiences come to an early and nightmarish end as a result of irresponsible drug and alcohol use .

It 's a fact that music culture and drug culture overlap , especially in a live-music setting , but be wise about bringing drugs or large amounts of booze with you . At most festivals , you 're going to be thoroughly searched before you even get though the gates . Security will either confiscate prohibited materials or ask you to leave with no ticket refunds .

Matador : A first-timer 's guide to participating at Burning Man

Make time to chill

One of the biggest lessons I 've learned is to plan out a few intervals of rest and not run myself ragged trying to see every band . If you 've done initial research on the area , take a short trek to one of the quiet spots you learned about and give your cochleas a break .

Many festivals have also begun featuring morning yoga classes , a great chance to recharge the mind and body .

I ca n't stress this enough : however you do it , whether it 's reading a book , taking a nap , or journaling in a quiet spot , make time to give your ears and other senses a rest . Knowing the festival ground layout and scheduling in time to relax is the most important tip I can give .

Read the full story on Matador Network

© 2011 Matador Network , Matador Ventures , LLC .

@highlight

When choosing a music festival , think about if you 're willing to camp overnight or stay in a hotel

@highlight

Bonnaroo and Coachella is about pitching your tent and camping out for the weekend

@highlight

Security will likely confiscate prohibited items like drugs and alcohol , so do n't bring them

@highlight

Tip : Plan a few intervals of rest , and do n't run ragged trying to see every band